How many investments has Ontario Centre of Innovation made?

Ontario Centre of Innovation has 24 tracked investments.

What stage does Ontario Centre of Innovation invest at?

Ontario Centre of Innovation invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.

What is Ontario Centre of Innovation's typical check size?

Ontario Centre of Innovation typically writes checks of $500K.

Where is Ontario Centre of Innovation located?

Ontario Centre of Innovation is headquartered in Toronto, CA.

Does Ontario Centre of Innovation lead rounds?

Ontario Centre of Innovation typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.

Who does Ontario Centre of Innovation co-invest with?

Ontario Centre of Innovation most often shares deals with Ontario Centre of Innovation programs, MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF), Connecticut Innovations, among 13 tracked co-investors.

Ontario Centre of Innovation

Government fundoperating company · company profile

Toronto · Pre-Seed–Growth · 24 people tracked

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Find your way into Ontario Centre of Innovation

950 people in our graph share verified history with the Ontario Centre of Innovation team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Achintya Chaudhariunlockedknows Amir Pahlevanpour · together at University of Waterloo (overlapped)

knows the team · via University of Toronto

×2knows the team · via University of Waterloo

×3knows the team · via Henley Business School

knows the team · via Inditex

knows the team · via College of Engineering, Guindy

✨ Fox Verdict

Investment thesis

OCI drives economic growth and job creation in Ontario by investing in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies. It supports commercializing academic intellectual property, industry-academic collaborations, and early-stage projects with strong potential for commercial success. Its expertise in de-risking innovation helps attract private investors including angels and venture capitalists to co-invest in projects. OCI focuses on sectors identified by Ontario's leadership as key to future prosperity, deploying Business Development Managers to build collaborations and support business growth. It also provides access to emerging technologies such as 5G testbeds and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, and adopts a whole-of-government approach in partnership with federal agencies to streamline funding for companies.

Invests inAdvanced Manufacturing AgTech AI & Machine Learning Biotech Cleantech Deep Tech Digital Health Energy FemTech Healthtech Medical Devices Mobility & Transportation New MaterialsSector AgnosticCanada Toronto

Source: firm website, verified Sep 20, 2026.

Stage

Pre-Seed–Growth

Check

$500K

Toronto, ON, CA

Leads rounds

Follows

Instruments

Grants

Founded

2022

Tracked investments

Team · 24 people

from the firm's website

Alicia Pereira· Director, Communications & Strategy· Canadain

Serves as the organization's media and marketing contact.

a•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Amir Pahlevanpour· Director, Business Development· Toronto, Ontario, Canadain

A•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Balinder Rai· Business Development Leadin

Focuses on energy and environmental technologies/clean tech, brownfield remediation, water and wastewater treatment, waste management, sustainable communities, and social innovation.

B•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Chitman Josan· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Canadain

Chitman Josan holds a PhD in Medical Sciences and serves as Business Development and Commercialization Manager at Ontario Centre of Innovation. His work focuses on identifying opportunities and facilitating partnerships across healthcare, biotech, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors. He has experience in business development, strategic partnerships, and market scaling initiatives.

C•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Claudia Krywiak· President and CEO· Toronto, Ontario, Canadain

President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation.

Dan Ruby· Assistant Vice President, Business Development· Greater Toronto Area, Canadain

Dan Ruby is Assistant Vice President of Business Development at the Ontario Centre of Innovation, where he works across non-profit, academic, government, and for-profit sectors in innovation ecosystem development. He has founded four companies and one non-profit organization, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto. His professional background encompasses nonprofit management, business planning, government funding, and event management.

D•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Dr. Amir Pahlevanpour· Director, Business Developmentin

Dr. Chitman Josan· Business Development and Commercialization Managerin

Dr. Igor Cunha· Business Development and Commercialization Managerin

Dr. Michael R. Jones· Business Development and Commercialization Managerin

Focuses on life sciences and health.

Dr. Robyn Binsfeld· Business Development and Commercialization Managerin

Fernanda Navarro· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Toronto, Ontario, Canadain

F•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Igor Cunha· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Toronto, Ontario, Canadain

Igor Cunha is a Business Development and Commercialization Manager at the Ontario Centre of Innovation, where he supports Ontario-based startups and SMEs in implementing and commercializing technology solutions. With a PhD in Chemistry from Queen's University and over 10 years of experience in chemistry research and innovation, he assists entrepreneurs in accessing grants, technology challenges, and other funding mechanisms. His background includes work in catalysis and materials science, with published research, patents, and experience training students and early-stage companies.

I•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Jeffrey Beaudoin· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canadain

J•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Jordan Detmers· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Peterborough, Ontario, Canadain

Jordan Detmers is a Business Development Manager at the Ontario Centre of Innovation with a background in technology sales and consulting. With scientific training in ecology and sustainability, Detmers brings experience in AI business solutions and analytical work to technology commercialization efforts.

J•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Joshua Amante· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Toronto, Ontario, Canadain

J•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Juan Sarmiento· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Canadain

Juan Sarmiento is an operations and program leader with over 15 years of experience in cross-border expansion, post-acquisition integration, and technology delivery across Canada, Europe, and Latin America. He has held roles including Manager of Business Development & Commercialization at Ontario Centre of Innovation, where he advises high-growth companies on market entry and scaling strategies, and previously led IT transformation programs at Fujitsu serving Fortune 500 clients across multiple countries. His background includes designing market entry strategies, managing M&A integration across five countries, and establishing delivery operations, with certifications in PRINCE2 Agile and Lean Six Sigma.

J•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Mandeep Singh Rehal· Director, Business Development· Greater Toronto Area, Canadain

Mandeep Singh Rehal is Director of Business Development at Ontario Centre of Innovation, with interests in breakthrough technologies, high-growth startups, education technology, marketing, and growth strategy.

M•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Michael R. Jones· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Hamilton, Ontario, Canadain

Focuses on life sciences and health.

M•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Patricia Singson· Business Development Team Coordinator· Canadain

Patricia Singson is a Business Development Team Coordinator at Ontario Centre of Innovation with a design background from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in Architecture and Environmental Science. She has experience in business administration, sales, project management, and technical skills in 3D modeling software including Rhino and AutoCAD, as well as Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Her professional interests include sustainable design and graphic communication.

P•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Raed Kadri· Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Business Development, OCI; Head of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)· Toronto, Ontario, Canadain

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Business Development at OCI and Head of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.

Robyn Binsfeld· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Kingston, Ontario, Canadain

Robyn Binsfeld is a Business Development and Commercialization Manager at Ontario Centre of Innovation, where she supports biotech and life science companies in developing and commercializing their solutions. She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology with a focus on gene therapy for rare diseases and a graduate certificate in science entrepreneurship and mobilization.

r•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Sidhant Sakhuja· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Canadain

Focuses on automotive engineering and development, advanced manufacturing, cleantech, supply chain, and venture capital.

S•••@oc-innovation.careveal

Somila Kakshapati· Business Development and Commercialization Manager· Brampton, Ontario, Canadain

Somila Kakshapati is a Business Development and Commercialization Manager at Ontario Centre of Innovation, focusing on early-stage startups and capital deployment across health tech and clean tech sectors. With expertise in innovation management, emerging technologies, and strategic partnerships across North America and Europe, Kakshapati has experience in client relations, business development, data analysis, and securing government funding for technology adoption initiatives.

S•••@oc-innovation.careveal

What they invest in

from 15 of 24 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning ×7Biotech ×7Healthtech ×7Medical Devices ×7Deep Tech ×5Digital Health ×4SaaS ×3Enterprise Software ×2

HQs:Canada×11

Investments · 24 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

PhenoTipsphenotips.com in 𝕏✓ verified

PhenoTips develops software tools for genomic care that enable patients, doctors, and researchers to collaborate on diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaSToronto, CA

Pawel Buczkowicz(Chief Operating Officer)in

Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs Thin Air Labs Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners GreenSky Ventures

Crewscopecrewscope.com in

Crewscope provides AI-powered field intelligence for construction site management, enabling real-time visibility of crew operations through SMS-based communication without requiring apps or login.

AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Calvin Benchimol(Co-founder CEO)in Ehsan Foroughi(Co-founder CTO)in

Co-investorsArchangel Network of Funds DMZ Ventures Futuresight GroundBreak Ventures Ontario Centre of Innovation programs

Esphera SynBio Inc.espherasynbio.ca in

Esphera designs transgenes that enable budding exosomes to carry multimeric proteins for therapeutic applications, with initial focus on modifying tumor-derived exosomes to create immunostimulatory cancer vaccines.

BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesToronto, CA

Brian Lichty(Founder, CEO)inCarolina Ilkow(Founder, CSO)inJohn Bell(Founder, President)in

Co-investorsFACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust)Ontario Centre of Innovation programs

Growcerthegrowcer.ca in

Growcer provides modular growing infrastructure and ecosystem support to enable communities to produce fresh food year-round locally.

AgTechFoodTechHardwareImpact & Social Good

Corey Ellis(Co-founder)inAlida Burke(Co-founder)in

Co-investorsMaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF)Ontario Centre of Innovation programs SheBoot

Kare Chemical Technologieskarechem.com in

Kare Chemical Technologies is a pharmaceutical technology company using a patented catalytic process to convert limonene, a citrus by-product, into high-purity CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands for drug development.

BiotechCleantechDeep TechMedical DevicesNew MaterialsMississauga, CA

Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs

Marlowwearemarlow.com

Marlow makes organic, toxin-free and sustainable period care products designed for menstruating consumers.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFemTechCanada, CA

Nadia Ladak(Founder)in

Co-investorsConnecticut Innovations Ontario Centre of Innovation programs UCeed Funds Angels of Many

mDETECT Inc.mdetect-inc.com in

mDETECT develops methylation- and NGS-based liquid biopsy tests to monitor metastatic cancer, aimed at clinical validation and commercial diagnostic use.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechDigital HealthMedical DevicesKingston, CA

Christopher Mueller(President and CEO)Irsa Wiginton(Business Development Officer)inKeira Frosst(Scientific Officer)in

Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs

MyStoria Inc.mystoria.com in

myStoria builds tools that help reproductive health patients organize their medical history and arrive at appointments better informed and prepared.

Digital HealthFemTechHealthtech

Jessica(Founder)

Co-investorsArchangel Network of Funds Graphite Ventures Ontario Centre of Innovation programs

NodeAI Diagnostics Corp.nodeai.ca in

NodeAI is a healthcare-focused company that builds algorithms and runs clinical trials with the aim of raising the standard of medical care.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesToronto, CA

Waël Hanna(Co-Founder / President & Chief Medical Officer)in Anthony Gatti(Co-Founder / Chief Technology Officer)inMackensey Bacon(Co-Founder / Chief Executive Officer)in

Co-investorsFACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust)Ontario Centre of Innovation programs

Paradoximmunoparadoximmuno.com in 𝕏

Paradox Immuno develops a platform for discovering therapies targeting protein misfolding diseases, leveraging proprietary research and lead identification technology to address rare conditions with no existing treatments.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtech

Yulong Sun, PhD(Founder)in

Co-investorsBeresford Ventures Ontario Centre of Innovation programs

Perchgetperch.appOct 2022 · $4M

Perch is a home monitoring app that turns a spare phone, tablet, laptop or webcam into a live home camera.

Co-investorsBackstage Capital Emles Venture Partners Evolution VC Partners Arborview Capital BEST Funds Second Century Ventures +2 more

ScriptRunner Innovations Inc.scriptrunner.ai in

Script Runner provides AI-powered prescription logistics software for pharmacies and hospitals, automating delivery workflows and last-mile fulfillment while ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.

HealthtechLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSToronto, CA

Co-investorsHustle Fund Ontario Centre of Innovation programs

Stoked Biostokedbio.com

Stoked Bio is a drug discovery company developing new medicines against drug-resistant diseases, using AI-guided methods to identify novel molecules.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep Tech

Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs

Synakis Corp.synakis.ca in

Synakis develops ocular biomaterials, including its lead candidate SNK-125, through pre-clinical research and a pipeline of eye-related products.

BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesToronto, CA

Thierry Nivaggioli(CEO)in

Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs

Synmedixinnovationfactory.ca

Innovation Factory (iF) is a not-for-profit business accelerator in Ontario, Canada that provides technology startups and scaling companies with mentorship, workshops, funding and investment guidance, IP programming, pitch competitions, and networking, all at no cost and without taking equity.

Enterprise SoftwareHamilton, CA

Co-investorsOntario Centre of Innovation programs

Tenomixtenomix.com in 𝕏

Tenomix develops intelligent automation technology for cancer diagnostics and healthcare labs to improve diagnostic speed and accuracy while addressing staffing shortages and rising patient caseloads.

AI & Machine LearningHealthtechMedical DevicesRoboticsLondon, CA

Dr. (unnamed - identified as founder with Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)(Founder & CEO)Dr. (unnamed - identified as physician-scientist with MD and PhD)(Co-founder)

Co-investorsFACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust)

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

BoomGuardBrooklyn HealthCementation AmericasCntrl+LoopXMoonrise MedicalMyomar Molecular Inc.Paradox Immunotherapeutics

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Synakis Closes Pre-Seed Funding

Synakis Corp. · finsmes.com · May 25, 2026

University of Toronto Entrepreneurship | U of T Startup PhenoTips, Health Institutions Launch National AI Initiative to Solve Bottleneck in Genomic Medicine - University of Toronto Entrepreneurship

PhenoTips · entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca · Apr 7, 2026

Kare Chemical Technologies Secures $750K Pre-Seed Funding

Kare Chemical Technologies · leadsontrees.com · Oct 27, 2025

Crewscope Raises Over $1Million in Pre-Seed Funding to Enhance Productivity for Construction and Industrial Crews - Altitude Accelerator

Crewscope · altitudeaccelerator.ca · Oct 24, 2025

Growcer snaps up assets of bankrupt US rival Freight Farms | BetaKit

Growcer · betakit.com · Jul 28, 2025

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Ontario Centre of Innovation made?: Ontario Centre of Innovation has 24 tracked investments.
What stage does Ontario Centre of Innovation invest at?: Ontario Centre of Innovation invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
What is Ontario Centre of Innovation's typical check size?: Ontario Centre of Innovation typically writes checks of $500K.
What sectors does Ontario Centre of Innovation focus on?: Ontario Centre of Innovation focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AgTech, AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Cleantech, Deep Tech, Digital Health, Energy, FemTech, Healthtech, Medical Devices, Mobility & Transportation, New Materials, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Ontario Centre of Innovation located?: Ontario Centre of Innovation is headquartered in Toronto, CA.
Does Ontario Centre of Innovation lead rounds?: Ontario Centre of Innovation typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Who does Ontario Centre of Innovation co-invest with?: Ontario Centre of Innovation most often shares deals with Ontario Centre of Innovation programs, MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF), Connecticut Innovations, among 13 tracked co-investors.

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